Poetry is powerful. It taps into a writer’s raw emotions and, if it connects, it transports audiences into new experiences and understandings. These are just some of the reasons why the Population Media Center’s Nepal team (PMC-Nepal) decided to elevate the voices of the audience by putting the microphone in the audience’s hand – and hold a poetry competition.
The poems submitted and stories shared went beyond PMC-Nepal’s expectations.
Here we feature two winners: a 27-year-old woman now mirroring her favorite character and pursuing economic independence and a 60-year-old man grappling with the unnecessary death of his wife.
These two demonstrate the tremendous variety both of lived experiences and the way transformational storytelling ripples out from individuals to entire families and communities. And we feel the deep connection to the fictional characters from PMC programs that brought these self-reflections, realizations, and resolve.
The Sunakhari Poem Competition, inspired by the impactful PMC radio show Mai Sari Sunakhari (“Orchid, Like Me”) and its spin-off radio show, Junimayako Katha (“Story of Juni Maya”), both funded by The Kandeda Fund, has become a platform for poetic expression and social change. A renowned Nepali poet, Mr. Viplob Pratik, reviewed all poems received. The top 10 poets recorded themselves delivering their poems with the videos posted across social media for Mr. Pratik to select his top three and fans to select their top four. Excitement and engagement with the videos has elevated new people – and their stories – into the spotlight to look at how individuals and entire communities can change.
“We received poems from all parts of the country. It’s lovely to see how one young character ‘Junimaya’ connects with people of different ages, different geographies, and walks of life and inspires them,” said Rajan Parajuli, PMC-Nepal Country Director.
Pragati Rai first encountered Mai Sari Sunakhari in grade ten when her mother listened to the drama on the radio. Although she had only heard a few episodes back then, her interest was reignited years later when she came across the spinoff radio show, Junimayako Katha on social media. It was there that she also discovered the poem competition.
Now 27 years old and having completed her bachelor’s degree, she lives in Taplejung, Province 1, as a stay-at-home mom. As she set about to capture the experiences and challenges of one of the characters she loved, Juni Maya, through poems, Pragati explored ideas and feelings and self-expression in ways that will forever stay with her. And as she pursues her career, she also promotes financial independence for women everywhere.
Pragati became an avid listener of the spin-off because of admiration for the key character, Juni Maya, and tuned in with the hope that she’d see Juni Maya achieve her dreams and goals. She wishes for Juni Maya and her husband to build a happy life together, overcoming their challenges, like their sweet baby being born blind.
“Just like Karuna Didi in Junimayako Katha, I’ve always wanted to work and become financially independent,” says Pragati. “However, after marriage and having a baby, managing time became a big challenge. Now that my daughter is older, I’m planning to start teaching. I’ve already received my teaching license from the Sichyak Sewa Ayog (Teachers Service Commission).”
Pragati explains that her dislike of characters abusing Juni Maya and thwarting her independence was as emotionally powerful as her love for Juni Maya. Juni Maya’s story exposed Pragati to valuable life lessons about patience and decision-making. Now Pragati explains that she believes young women should avoid being easily influenced or making hasty decisions – especially without achieving financial independence first.
Pragati has recommended Junimayako Katha to her neighbors, friends, youth, and family members in her village. She says she is grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Sunakhari Poem Competition, where she could express her love for poetry while also promoting positive social change.
Min Bahadur Magar first listened to Mai Sari Sunakhari on CIN radio during the COVID-19 pandemic. He was drawn in by Rajesh Hamal’s narration and when the poem competition was later announced on the same channel, he eagerly joined through the toll-free number. Min, who is 60 years old, visually impaired and lives in Okhaldhunga, Siddhicharan Nagar, Province 1, said the competition gave him a way to express his thoughts on women’s societal challenges through poetry.
From the first time he listened, Min Bahadur said he was captivated by Mai Sari Sunakhari and became a dedicated listener. The story’s focus on relevant topics – such as family conflicts, early marriages, and harmful superstition deeply resonated with him. The portrayal of superstitions, particularly the harmful influence of “jhakri” (witch doctors) in rural areas, was relatable for Min. It reminded him of his own experiences.
“Just like in Junimayako Katha, where the harmful effects of jhakri practices are highlighted, I too regret falling into superstition,” he says. “When my wife was severely ill with jhada pakhala (diarrhea), the villagers insisted on using salt water and calling a jhakri instead of rushing to a doctor. This ultimately cost her life.”
Like Pragati, Min’s favorite character was Juni Maya. He admired her soothing voice, her famous line, “Aile handinchu ni” (I will hit you if you joke with me), and her spirited personality. Conversely, his least favorite character was Kaili Ama, whose belief in superstitions, such as relying on the “jhakri” system, often worsens the conditions of those in need of proper medical care.
“Listening to Junimayako Katha brought back these memories reminding me of my wife’s struggles. I relied on her as my support system. The drama inspired me not to repeat the same patterns with my children.”
Min’s connection to Junimayako Katha runs deep. He reflects on his life before his wife’s death, recalling how marrying at a young age left both him and his wife naive and unprepared for the responsibilities of marriage. His mother’s traditional mindset often led to unrealistic expectations of his wife, placing significant strain on their relationship. These challenges caused emotional and mental hardships for his wife, memories that linger with him as he sees his story played out in other characters and recognizes how things could have been different.
“I am proud to say that all my children married at a mature age and with a clear, prepared mindset,” Min says. “This is a lesson I learned from my experiences and from the drama.”
Min Bahadur feels these are critical societal issues and is grateful the dramas show the negative impacts of child marriages, the dangers of superstitious beliefs, and the importance of modern healthcare. He has learned valuable lessons about vaccines, safe childbirth, nutritious food, and good hygiene. He hopes that others will also gain this knowledge and apply it in their lives.
The poetry competition resulted in submissions that were personal, reflecting diverse perspectives and emotions, illustrating the themes of the shows via real-life stories and experiences. The competition exemplifies the power of poetry as another form of storytelling that amplifies voices and sparks meaningful dialogues. Storytelling done well is transformational.
“The contest provided a platform specifically designed to encourage the creative expressions of the participants – to share their stories, emotions, and perspectives through poetry,” said Smriti Pradhan, PMC-Nepal Marketing and Communications Officer. “Whether addressing societal issues, personal experiences, or emotions, the contest inspired heartfelt and original pieces of work.”
The poetry contest was one more powerful way this multidimensional campaign connected with people in ways that matter. PMC was honored to partner with the Association of Community Radio Broadcasters Nepal (ACORAB) and Rato Bangala Foundation and collaborate with The Story Kitchen. The radio shows broadcast from CIN News of ACORAB and 30 radio stations across Nepal. Partnerships like these are critical to success – reaching more people in powerful, creative, and thoughtful ways.
As engagement with the poetry contest proved, people connect with people. Congratulations to all the poetry contest winners. These poems speak to lives changed and how these individuals and their poems are creating even more change all around them.
प्रगति यो नाटककी कट्टर प्रशंसक हुन्। उनलाई विशेष गरी जुनी मायाको चरित्रले निकै प्रभावित गरेको छ। उनले जुनी मायाको दृढता र संघर्षलाई उच्च सम्मान गर्छिन् र जुनी मायाले सधैं देखेका सपना पूरा भएको हेर्ने चाहना राख्छिन्। जुनी मायाले दृष्टिहीन बच्चा हुर्काउन गरेको संघर्षप्रति उनी गहिरो सहानुभूति राख्छिन् र जुनी मायाले आफ्ना सबै चुनौती पार गर्दै आफ्नो जीवन सुखमय बनाओस् भन्ने कामना गर्छिन्।
प्रगतिलाई अर्को मनपर्ने पात्र करुणा दिदी हुन्। उनलाई करुणाको सकारात्मक सोच, जुनी मायालाई दिएको अडान र युवाहरुलाई सही बाटोमा हिँड्न प्रेरित गर्ने क्षमताले आकर्षित गरेको छ। करुणाको आत्मनिर्भरता र दृढतासँग उनी आफूलाई सम्बन्धित ठान्छिन्।
प्रगति भन्छिन्:
“जस्तै करुणा दिदी जुनी मायाको कथामा काम गरेर आत्मनिर्भर छिन् , म पनि आर्थिक रूपमा स्वतन्त्र बन्न चाहन्थेँ। तर विवाह र बच्चा भएपछि समय व्यवस्थापन गर्न गाह्रो भयो। अहिले मेरी छोरी ठूलो भएकी छिन्, त्यसैले मैले शिक्षण सेवा आयोगबाट शिक्षण अनुमतिपत्र लिएकी छु र तयार महसुस भएपछि शिक्षण कार्य सुरु गर्ने योजना बनाएकी छु।”
प्रगतिलाई जुनी मायाका श्रीमान् शुक्मानको व्यवहार मन पर्दैन। उनी शुक्मानले जुनी मायाको संघर्ष बुझ्न नसकेको, उनलाई शारीरिक हिंसा गरेको र असभ्य व्यवहार देखाएको कुरा प्रति असन्तुष्ट छिन्। यसैगरी, जुनी मायाकी सासू पनि प्रगतिलाई मन पर्दिनन्। सासूले जुनी मायालाई आफ्नो छोराको व्यवहारका लागि दोष दिने, उनको दृष्टिविहीन बच्चाको कारणले उनलाई तिरस्कार गर्ने, र शुक्मानको गलत व्यवहारलाई नजरअन्दाज गर्ने गरेकोमा उनी आलोचना गर्छिन्।
जुनी मायाको कथाबाट प्रगतिले धैर्य, सही निर्णय गर्न सक्ने क्षमता र आर्थिक रूपमा आत्मनिर्भरताको महत्व जस्ता जीवनोपयोगी पाठहरू सिकेकी छिन्। उनी युवतीहरूलाई कुनै पनि ठूलो निर्णय गर्नुअघि राम्रोसँग सोच्न र स्वतन्त्रता हासिल नगरीकन हतारमा निर्णय नगर्न सुझाव दिन्छिन्।
गतिलाई जुनी मायाको प्रख्यात संवाद:“अहिले हान्दिन्छु नि” निकै मन पर्छ।
उनी प्रत्येक एपिसोडको अडियो र छायानाटकलाई निकै रुचाउँछिन् र सबै पात्रहरूको सुखद अन्त्य भएको हेर्न चाहन्छिन्।
प्रगतिले आफ्नो गाउँमा जुनी मायाको कथा प्रचार गर्दै यसलाई आफ्ना साथी, छिमेकी र परिवारका सदस्यहरूलाई सुन्न र हेर्न प्रेरित गरेकी छिन्। सुनाखरी कविता प्रतियोगितामा भाग लिँदै उनले कविताप्रतिको आफ्नो माया अभिव्यक्त गर्न र समाजमा सकारात्मक परिवर्तन ल्याउन योगदान गर्न पाएकोमा उनी निकै आभारी छिन्।
प्रगति राईको कवि यात्राले र जुनी मायाको कथासँगको गहिरो सम्बन्धले देखाउँछ कि कथाले मानिसलाई सोच्न, सिक्न र आफ्नो समुदायमा प्रभाव पार्न कसरी प्रेरित गर्न सक्छ।
६० वर्षीय मिन बहादुर मगर, जो दृष्टिविहीन हुन् र ओखलढुंगा, सिद्धिचरण नगरमा बस्छन्, पहिलो पटक “मै सरी सुनाखर” CIN रेडियोमा COVID-19 महामारीको समयमा सुने। राजेश हमालको दमदार आवाजले उनलाई आकर्षित गर्यो। पछि कविता प्रतियोगिता घोषणा भएपछि, उनले टोल फ्री मार्फत भाग लिए।
उनी समाजमा महिलाले भोग्ने समस्याहरू कविता मार्फत व्यक्त गर्न पाउँदा खुशी भए। कथा भित्रका परिवारिक द्वन्द्व, बालविवाह, अन्धविश्वास जस्ता विषयहरूले उनलाई आफ्नै जीवनसँग जोडिएको महसुस गरायो।
अन्धविश्वासको असर
मिन बहादुरलाई कथामा देखाइएका झाँक्रीको हानिकारक प्रभावहरू निकै वास्तविक लाग्यो।
“जब मेरी श्रीमती गम्भीर बिरामी थिइन्, गाउँलेहरूले अस्पताल लैजानुको सट्टा झाँक्री बोलाउन भने। यसले उनको ज्यान लियो।”
सबैभन्दा मनपर्ने: जुनीमाया – उनको मिठो स्वर र आत्मविश्वासी स्वभाव।
सबैभन्दा मन नपर्ने: काईंली आमा – अन्धविश्वासको अन्धो समर्थन।
जीवनसँगको सम्बन्ध
जुनीमायाको कथा सुन्दा उनलाई आफ्नै जीवनको झल्को आउँछ। उनले सानो उमेरमै विवाह गर्दा अनुभवको कमीले श्रीमतीलाई धेरै पीडा भयो।
तर, उनले आफ्ना छोराछोरीलाई परिपक्व उमेरमा विवाह गराउने निर्णय गरे।
“म गर्व गर्छु कि मेरा छोराछोरी सचेत भएर, परिपक्व उमेरमा विवाह गरे।”
महत्वपूर्ण पाठहरू
उनी माई सारी सुनाखरीका माध्यमबाट बालविवाहको असर, अन्धविश्वासको खतरा, आधुनिक स्वास्थ्य सेवाको महत्त्व जस्ता कुराहरू सिके। उनले खोप, सुरक्षित प्रसूति, पोषण, र सरसफाइ जस्ता विषयमा नयाँ ज्ञान प्राप्त गरे।
मिन बहादुर आशा गर्छन् कि अन्यले पनि यी पाठहरू सिकेर आफ्नो जीवनमा लागू गर्नेछन्।
Mai Sari Sunakhari (“Orchid, Like Me”), a nationwide radio drama in Nepal, reached millions of listeners to challenge entrenched gender norms.
PMC launched Rope Guna Fal (“You Reap What You Sow” ) in Nepal in 2021.
